Shepherdstown

Heralded as the oldest town in West Virginia, Shepherdstown has history in spades— but that’s not all it has to offer. Located in the lower Shenandoah Valley and overlooking the Potomac River, Shepherdstown has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation: hiking, cycling, kayaking, canoeing, you name it. The downtown district, characterized by its white columned and red bricked storefronts, offers an eclectic array of artistic shops and restaurants, “It’s got a lot of historic charm,” says Adam Miller, a Realtor who has sold 37 homes in the neighborhood. “It’s also a university town, so there’s a youthful, energetic feel to it too.”

The neighborhood is comprised of two distinct layouts: the planned grid of the downtown district that borders the Potomac and the winding roads that stretch out west from the center of Shepherdstown and into the sprawling countryside. Though mostly a driving community, public transportation is accessible through The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority in Kearneysville, just 5 and a half miles east from downtown. Take a walk through the historic, treelined streets of the downtown area and you’ll be surrounded by red brick and sided log buildings. You’ll find mostly Colonials, Colonial Revivals and Federal style homes. Take a drive to the countryside and you’ll find a few newer construction ranches sprinkled throughout. Prices range from $400,000 to the upper $600,000’s, with the average home going for about $500,000. 1,500-2,000 square foot homes tend to cost a little less, between $300,000 to $450,000. These prices are consistent throughout both the downtown and the countryside, though the countryside homes tend to offer more acreage.

Students can start their education at C.W. Shipley Elementary School, ranked Best Public Elementary School in Jefferson County and graded A-minus on Niche. Students can move onto Harpers Ferry Middle School, which holds a B-plus ranking on Niche. Students can finish at Jefferson High School, which earned a B ranking on Niche. Shepherd University, the local liberal arts college, is an option for higher education.

Nature lovers can stroll beneath towering oaks and maples as they explore historic Morgan Grove Park. A 1-mile-long trail loops you around this 20-acre plot featuring meadows, a playground, soccer fields, horseshoe pits, and the spring-fed stream after which the park was named. Take a drive to North Mill Street toward Rumsey Monument Park where vibrant Red Maples and Colonial history converge. You’ll be greeted with the sight of the James Rumsey Monument, a sky-scraping granite column dedicated to the inventor of the steamboat. Climb up onto the monument’s platform for a panoramic view of the Potomac River as it sparkles beneath the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. History fans can check out Historic Shepherdstown Museum where they can peruse 300 years’ worth of the town’s artifacts and historic documents.

For theater fans, the Contemporary American Theater Festival is a must see. This annual festival occurs every July and features a combination of 6 new plays, all of which are premieres and second or third productions. “The arts are huge here,” Miller notes. “And the theater festival really brings a big crowd.”

The Downtown area has several different dining options to choose from. Start your day at the Lost Dog Coffee Fine Arts Drink Emporium, a local independent coffeehouse with a quirky and artistic vibe. This restaurant doubles as an art gallery, featuring unique works from an array of local artists along the exposed brick walls. For fine dining, check out The Pressroom, a New American restaurant in a rustic brick building that was once the home of Shepherdstown’s local newspaper. For shopping, head to the Food Lion for all your grocery needs and to The Good Shop for clothing, jewelry and shoes.

Written By

Stephanie Davison

Photography Contributed By

David MacNeill

Video By

Taylor Noll